andrew scott jensen

I’m here in Welland, On playing another Great Lakes Tour platinum series event.  We’re hosted by Lochness Links, a course that I really enjoyed playing today.

Today was an up and down round that really tested my patience and self belief.  I was 2 under through 5 holes, 2 lip outs from being 4 under through 5.  I proceeded to run into some poor luck and a poor swing; and 3 holes later I was 1 over.  The ninth hole is a great risk reward par 5, and I hit two great shots and was about 40 feet from the pin just off the green faced with a flop shot that was impossible to get inside 15 feet!  I made par and turned in one over.

The back nine started very poorly, I made two bad swings on 10-12 and hit my ball in the worst possible spots around those greens imaginable!  I doubled 11 and bogeyed 12 and was sitting 4 over through 12, thinking that this event might be gone down the crapper!

I proceeded to birdie 13, leave an eagle putt on 14 two inches short, and then hit it an inch away from an ace on 15!  16 was a 300 yard par 4, dead down wind.  I didn’t take advantage of this birdie opportunity and the birdie train stopped at 3.  I left my downhill birdie putt on 17 two inches short yet again.  I hit two great shots on 18 and left myself 20 feet for eagle and a sub par round.  I missed it and tapped in for 72.

I’m happy with my comeback, and hopeful that I can ride the birdie train into tomorrow’s final round and give myself a great shot at closing the 5 strokes between me and the leader.

I’m hitting it well and putting great!  It’s just a matter of time until I break through and shoot some crazy low numbers!  Until then, I’ll stay patient and keep telling myself that it will come, much like Lucas Glover did over the past few months, which seems to have worked out just fine for him!

Well, I played in another GLT one day event yesterday and it was yet another learning experience.  I started off my day so steady; fairways, greens, and patience!  I shot 33 on the front and headed to the back nine tied for the lead and much more comfortable than last weeks event.

Unfortunately, the back nine was another struggle.  I shot 40 and finished in a tie for 20 with a 73(+1).  This time around, I felt much better than last week.  I stayed patient and calm and tried all I could to keep the round alive.  I had a couple poor breaks and a few lip outs that really tested my patience.  On the positive note, I handled the pressure of leading the tournament much better this week.  Sure, I didn’t come through and win, but I certainly banked a great lesson and priceless experience.

Like I said last week, being in the lead is where I want to be.  It’s just a matter of time until I’m comfortable in the lead and comfortable maintaining it!

One major positive to take away is the fact that in my last 4 events I’ve been in the lead after the first nine holes in every one.  Wether it’s an 18, 36, or 72 hole event; I’ve been coming out strong.  This is a far cry form last year.  Last year, I would start off struggling and then grinding back to something around par.

I’m very encouraged by all of this.  I’m making all the right moves and putting in the right work.  Again, it’s just a matter of time and repetition until I’m comfortable enough to take a 9 hole lead and turn it into a victory at the end of the day or end of the week.

I’m planning on digging deeper into all of this with my coach and sports psych in an effort to come out strong next week in the 36 hole event taking place monday-tuesday in Welland, ON.

Today was the first round of my first Great Lakes Tour, 36 hole Platinum event.  I’m playing in scenic Niagara Falls.  The day started very well in cold windy conditions.  I played pretty flawless golf on the front and turned in 3 under.  Things were looking very promising….

Upon giving my scores to the scorer at the turn, I was greeted with many well wishes from the volunteers thanks to my 9.  I was also informed that no one has come through better than 3 over!  Fact or fiction, this was information I could have done without!  I proceeded to get very tight and tense, knowing I was apparently leading by 6 strokes.  I played the next 6 holes 6 over.  It was very frustrating to say the least!

I birdied my last hole and shot 2 over.  I sit in a tie for 12th; 5 back, with one round left.  I’m excited about tomorrow because I know that I can make birdies on this course and hopefully plot away at the leaders and climb the board.

Today was a valuable lesson.  I’ve never been in a situation where I’m leading the tournament in the early stages.  As expected, I got spooked and was ripped from my comfort zone.  Leading is what I want; it’s what I work for, but it was still foreign to me.  I’m very happy this happened today and that it’s out of my system.

I seem to be learning something very valuable with every round this year, and it’s great!  Here’s hoping that tomorrow will bring some great play and more valuable lessons about myself and my game when forced to come from behind.